Charmaine K. Ehlen

Born Dec. 25, 1931 at home in Lena, to the late Emil and Edna (Oshefsky) Pillath, she attended Lena Schools and graduated from Lena High School in 1949 where she was active in forensics, drama, band and she was a delegate in Badger Girls State. She moved to Green Bay and worked for Belson Company as billing clerk. While there, she was active with the Green Bay Recreation Department and the Green Bay Community Theatre.

On Jan. 24, 1953, she married Ronald F. Ehlen at St. Francis Xavier Cathedral and two days later drove to Edwards AFB, Ca., where he was finishing his enlistment. While there, she worked for Civil Service at the Rocket Branch and later the main base. She was privileged to know some of the test pilots including Chuck Yeager.

While in California, weekends were spent sightseeing and they visited Sequoia National Park, Yosemite National Park, San Juan Capistrano, Hearst Castle, Death Valley, San Francisco's Fisherman's Wharf, San Diego Zoo, Lake Tahoe and also went to Mexico. In November 1955, they returned to Green Bay with their first child, three and half week old Michael. He worked at Fort Howard Paper Company and they had four more children.

A good cook, she preserved many jars of fruits and vegetables. She was a Cub Scouts Den Mother for eight years, taught Religious Education for four years and chaperoned Girl Scout outings for her daughter.

She was a member of the Green Bay Woman's Bowling Association, Brown County Woman's Golf League, the Brown County Homemakers and worked eight years doing food demonstrations in local stores.

The couple enjoyed cruises together, traveled to to Europe, Canada, Alaska, Hawaii and throughout the United States. She had a blessed life.

She is survived by her husband of 64 years, Ron; five children, Michael and Teresa (Tim) Oettinger, both of Green Bay, Patrick (Beth), De Pere, Jim (Leslie) New Franken and Jeffrey, Sobieski; seven grandchildren; four great- grandchildren; three step-grandchildren; a sister, Carol Swim; a sister-in-law, LeaAnn Pillath and many nieces; nephews and cousins.

Along with her parents, she was preceded in death by a brother, Emil Pillath; a brother-in-law, Gene Swim and a daughter-in-law, Rebecca (Lund) Ehlen.

Visitation was held at Nativity of Our Lord Catholic Church in Green Bay on Friday, Sept. 1 from 9 a.m. until time of a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. Rev. Michael Ingold officiated with entombment in the Shrine of the Good Shepherd Mausoleum. A memorial was established. Proko Wall Funeral Home of Green Bay assisted the family with arrangements.